My Favourite Image of the Year

Hi Folks:

At the end of every year it’s become more and more common for photographers to go back through the images they made over that year and choose what they feel is their best work.  This can be an immensely challenging and yet creative project, because what one feels is one’s best work is often not the work most popular with others.  Marcia and I do something similar, choosing one image from each month to use in our annual photo calendar.

However, I know without hesitation what will be my favourite image of the year, and I don’t have to wait to find it – it’s made on New Year’s Day.  Every New Year we head to Government House to participate in the Lieutenant Governor’s levée … we have the opportunity to meet the Lieutenant Governor in office (and his or her spouse), share in some coffee and treats, listen to the speech and the bagpipes, and at some point we wander out to the balcony at the back.  There’s a great view of Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains in Washington from there, and I use my cell phone to capture an image (okay, several) of Marcia at the rail.  Being New Year’s Day it gives me an opportunity to marvel at all that this amazing woman gives to me every day, and an opportunity to look forward to another year of adventure with her.  Without a doubt, it’s my favourite image of the year.

Marcia on New Year's Day, 2014

Marcia on New Year’s Day, 2014

From Marcia and me, we wish you a new year filled with as much happiness, health, prosperity, excitement, love, peace and adventure as you can handle!

Okay, that’s it.  Now go out and make some photographs!

Hugs,
M&M

P.S. Santa Claus brought us both new cell phone (cameras) this year.  Who knows where that may lead!

For Auld Lang Syne – Happy New Year!!

Hi Folks:

Many have heard at least the beginnings of the song ‘For Auld Lang Syne’, but not as many are familiar with the words or their meaning.  We came across this ‘wee translation’ from Dolidh Young on Google+ and wanted to share it with you.  Her post is here: https://plus.google.com/+DolidhYoung/posts/HuugfJV5sYX

For Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, Should people we used to know be forgotten
and never brought to mind ? And never brought up again
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, Should people we used to know be forgotten
and auld lang syne? For the old long past

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my jo (or my dear), (Toasting) For the old long past, my joy
for auld lang syne, For old long past
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
for auld lang syne. For old long past

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp ! And surely you’ll pay for your drink
and surely I’ll be mine ! And surely I’ll pay mine
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
for auld lang syne. For old long past

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes, We two have run around the hills
and pu’d the gowans fine ; And pulled wild daisies fine
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit, But we’ve wandered many a weary foot (as in distance)
sin auld lang syne. Since old long times

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i’ the burn, We two have paddled in the stream
frae morning sun till dine ; From morning until dinner
But seas between us braid hae roar’d But seas between us broad and roared
sin auld lang syne. Since old long times

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere ! And here’s a hand my trusty friend
and gie’s a hand o’ thine ! And give me a hand of yours
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught, We’ll take a right good toasting drink
for auld lang syne. For old long past

CHORUS

From both of us to you and all those close to you, may the New Year bring you all the joy, peace, adventure, love and excitement you can handle!!

Hugs,
M&M